Cine Europa returns for its 28th year, featuring 17 carefully selected and critically acclaimed European films plus a special entry from guest country Ukraine. The film festival will run from September 8 to 17 at the Red Carpet Cinemas, EDSA Shangri-La, Mandaluyong, with free screenings on a first-come, first-served basis.
Agata Nowicka, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, said the festival celebrates cultural exchange between the Philippines and Europe.
“And once again, we also welcome Ukraine as a special guest country for the third time already. And this is in solidarity with our neighbor, Ukraine, which is still facing a very difficult situation,” Nowicka said.
She added that Cine Europa bridges cultural gaps and strengthens collaboration between the Philippines and the European Union.
This year’s lineup includes dramas, comedies, animations, and literary adaptations, focusing on themes of resilience, identity, love, family, and freedom. Among the highlights is the Romanian LGBTQIA+ film “Three Kilometres to the End of the World,” directed by Emanuel Pârvu.
Petrica Badea, Consul of the Embassy of Romania to the Philippines, hopes the film fosters cultural dialogue.
“The movie, the character, the pictures, the paintings — they should be seen as an important dialogue between us, as a Romanian and the Philippines,” Badea said.
Special screenings will also take place at University of the Philippines Cebu, University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City, and Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban.